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SFFD reports Pier 45 fire response, July 4 surge and rising cliff rescues; department outlines outreach steps
Summary
Deputy Chief Victor Wersch described a busy month with a second-alarm brush fire on Yerba Buena Island, a major Pier 45 incident where fireboats were crucial, a 51% spike in calls on July 4, and repeated cliff rescues; the department said it is expanding signage, outreach and targeted staffing to reduce cliff incidents.
Deputy Chief of Operations Victor Wersch told the Fire Commission that San Francisco Fire Department crews handled a string of major incidents in June and July, including a second-alarm brush fire on Yerba Buena Island and a large Pier 45 fire in which fireboats played an essential role.
Wersch described the Pier 45 response in detail, saying fireboat crews were able to apply large volumes of water to protect the SS Jeremiah O—Brien and nearby structures. "They came in and gently just kissed the pier, set themselves up perfectly," he said, praising boat crews and engine companies for preventing greater loss.
The departm…
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